Nash is unreal. And we are stuck with him. Need to buyout Richards, so that is no option. Has a NTC, so I doubt we can deal him and get something. We just have to pray he looks in the mirror and mans up this summer.
Let's not go that far Step. For one night we would have said thank you for finally scoring a big playoff goal.
I mean its dissapointing for nash, it really is, he played hard but couldn't do his job. playing hard isn't good enough.... you need to score, this playoff loss is on him, he has 2 goals, both garbage time, freaking boyle had more goals then him and he doens't play the PP or nearly as much ice time......... nash, you need to work on your game this off season and come back scoring 50 next year. you hear me son get to work
He doesn't need to work on his game IMO Sleeps, he needs to work on being tougher and getting some balls. His game is okay, his heart is the question mark. And I don't mean heart like he doesn't care or doesn't try, I believe he does, BUT until he gets tougher and says I want this at all costs, and plays with an edge, he will never do well in the playoffs. He sits on the outside and skates around. That is a 6'4" 213 lb man who plays like he is MSL. The next time he is in front for a dirty goal will be one of the first times. Sadly not sure you can learn that at this stage. He is too nice. I believe it is simply in his DNA to be soft and sweet and nice. That is who he is. And as long as he is this way I just don't ever see him being a playoff success. If he wants an example of how to play playoff hockey with his skills, look at Kreider. Always driving hard. Always in front. Playing a hard game. Playing the game Nash should be playing. Here are some awesome playoff stats: 41 playoff games and he has 5 goals. That is a 10 goal pace over the regular season. That is a clear issue. 5 goals in 41 playoff games...WOW. And as Mess has pointed out, even his regular season stats were down this season. Only 26 goals (low for him), and outside of that awesome stretch in Dec/Jan he was bad and didn't really score much at all. His contract is going to be a drain at 7.8 mill per. That number is reserved for stud C's and big time dmen, not for a soft winger. That will really hurt the team IMO. And nothing we can do with him. Has a NTC. Has a huge cap hit. And no way we get fair value for him on our win now team with 2 or 3 years open as our SC window. Tough spot.
Worst part of all of this is that when a team like the Rangers makes such a surprising run all the way to the Finals, and don't win it - the likelihood of making it back is remote. Yes, they were the underdogs, but this was a winnable series, especially when you consider that they - at worst - should have won at least 1 game in LA in 3 tries, and they would still be playing. The NBA is rigged, so I don't even count that, but look around the NFL, MLB, and NHL - no matter how fans of the team that loses the SB/WS/SCF believes that their team will 'get 'em' next year - it just does not happen.
Not going to be easy to get back next season vette, we agree for sure. The reason I have some hopes though are: 1. Second year AV. In many ways we were ahead of the curve with him this season. I figure with a year under him, and adding a few more AV type players this summer, we should be better next season. 2. The way we played from Christmas on. Team got much better. Goes hand and hand with my # 1 comment on getting better with AV. 3. Growth of McDonagh into a Norris type guy. Led team in playoff scoring with 17 points in 25 games. He will go 50 + next season. 4. Continued growth of Kreider, Stepan, McDonagh, Hags, and some of the young kids. So there is some positive here. But I do agree overall it will be difficult to get back here. Recent history clearly shows us that, and the East is getting better as well. Boston will be real hungry for one. Maybe our best hope is Rick Nash has an awakening this summer and understands what he needs to do to get it done in the playoffs. That may be our biggest hope/need. If that doesn't happen it will be tough.
